Spherical dial lock



Oct. 5, 1965 P. G. COLEMAN 3,209,565

SPHERI CAL DIAL LOCK Filed March 25, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet l Pk 6. (o/swan %/f Z /0 INVENTOR,

BY 1 41/4 L #96815 ATTORNEY Oct. 5, 1965 P. s. COLEMAN 3,209,565

SPHERIGAL DIAL LOCK Filed March 23, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 p/z/fi a 6'. (0/6/7700 INVENTOR.

Oct. 5, 1965 P. G. COLEMAN SPHERICAL DIAL LOCK 3 SheetsSheet 3 Filed March 25, 1964 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,209,565 SPHERICAL DIAL LOCK Phillip G. Coleman, League City, Tex., assignor to P. G. (Zoleman, Inc, League City, Tex., a corporation of Texas Filed Mar. 23, 1964, 'Ser. No. 353,853 1'2 Claims. (Cl. 70-169) This invention relates to a spherical dial lock for use on cabinet doors, container covers, and the like. More particularly, this invention relates to a combination spherical dial lock wherein a sphere having index means or indicia on the surface thereof is mounted is a housing such that when the sphere is rotated and properly aligned, the lock may be disengaged by depressing the sphere.

In many instances it is desirable to have a very simple lock arrangement on certain items, such as medicine cabinets, cigar boxes, tobacco containers, and the like, which lock will prevent easy or ready access to children, for example. At the same time, however, it is necessary to have a lock which is easily and readily manipulated to facilitate the unlocking operation. It is also desirable to be able to change the combination on the lock from time to time. It is also important that the lock be of simple construction so that it may be easily assembled and disassembled and be provided at a relatively low cost.

The prior art is prolix with examples of various locking and latching mechanisms. None, however, is as adequate for certain uses as is the present invention, for the prior apparatus was either too expensive or too complex or did not provide the desired degree of security.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel and improved dial lock which has a simplicity of parts and which may be easily assembled and manipulated.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved dial lock utilizing a spherical member which may be rotated and subsequently depressed to achieve unlocking.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a spherical dial combination lock of improved design on which the combination can be easily changed.

It is a still further project of this invention to provide an improved spherical dial combination lock having novel means for retracting the latch from its locking position.

These and other objectives will be evident to those skilled in the art by reference to the drawings and the description herein.

Briefly stated, this invention comprises a housing having a central bore or opening therein which is adapted to rotatably receive and carry a spherical member. The size of the bore or opening being sufiicient to permit the spherical member to move axially inwardly and outwardly therein. However, the bore or opening is reduced in internal diameter at its free end either by integral formation or by employment of a separate ring, whereby the spherical member is retained within, yet exposed at, the free end of the bore.

The spherical member is provided with an indexing recess in the surface thereof, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. Means are provided for normally biasing the spherical member outwardly toward the reducedend of the bore.

There is also provided an indexing stud which is shaped and/ or dimensioned for entrance into the index recess of the spherical member, which stud is supported at the bottom of the bore or opening. This stud is so mounted that it normally restricts the inward movement of the spherical member until the stud is aligned with the indexed recess. This alignment can be accomplished by rotating the spherical member to a pre-selected position, which rotation is facilitated by index means provided on the surface of the spherical member in the form of numbers or other indicia. The top portion of the housing also being provided with corresponding numbers or indicia.

Latch means ate supported by the housing to provide normally locking engagement. Means are also provided for releasing the latch means from locking engagement when the spherical member is properly aligned and depressed.

In certain embodiments the spherical members may have a plurality of index recesses only one of which will receive the indexing stud. In this respect, the recesses may be of different configurations or of similar crosssection but of different depths. This makes it more difficult to randomly determine the alignment required for opening and thereby increases the security of the lock. By knowing the proper combination to use, the lock may be readily unlocked. Without knowing the combination, it will take considerable manipulation before the lock can be opened by trial and error.

Reference to the drawing will further explain the invention wherein like numerals refer'to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view taken in central section showing one embodiment of the lock of this invention which might be used on a container such as a tobacco humidor.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 but shows the housing removed.

FIG. 3 is a plan view from the top of the lock shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a disassembled plan view of the biasing means shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged isometric view showing the spherical member with a pin and indexing stud disassembled therefrom.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view in central section of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a plan view as seen from the top of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged isometric view showing the arrangement of the indexing stud and the indexing recess of FIG. 7.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 a container 11 is provided with an annular frame 12 secured to the top of container 11 by screws 13. Frame 12 is provided with an annular lip 14, adapted to receive lock housing 15 which may be made of metal, plastic, or other suitable material, and is preferably shaped for easy grasping by the hand or fingers.

Housing 15 is provided with a central opening or bore 16 for rotatably slidably receiving spherical member 17. The internal diameter of bore 16 is restricted or reduced at its free end as a result of radially inwardly extending portion 18 formed in housing 15. Hence, spherical member 17 is retained in bore 16, and at the same time rotatable and axially movable therewithin.

Spherical member 17 is provided with one or more bores 19 (a plurality being preferable) about the surface thereof, each of which carries a threadably engaged pin 20. Each pin 20 may be provided with a recess of predetermined dimension and configuration, but it is desirable for each of these recesses in pins 20 to be of a dilferent configuration and/ or depth.

The inward movement of spherical member 17 in bore 16 is normally restricted by indexing stud 21, which is conveniently mounted coaxially of and adjacent the end of bore 16. Stud 21 is carried by backplate 22 which may be welded or otherwise secured to housing 15 or formed integrally therewith. Stud 21 is so shaped and designed that it will fit the recess of only one of the pins 20. Moreover, stud 21 may be removably mounted so that another stud of different size and/or configuration can be used,

whereby the combination of the lock can be changed by changing studs.

Spherical member 17 is normally biased outwardly toward the reduced end of the bore 16. Such biasing being conveniently provided by leaf spring 23, which is secured transversely of the mounted end of bore 16, as can best be seen in FIG. 4.

There it will be observed that spring 23 may conveniently take the shape of a cross, each arm of which has a latch aperture 24 and a central indexing aperture 25 adapted for passage of indexing stud 21 therethrough. Leaf spring 23 is also provided with upwardly turned portions which form positioning arms 26, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be observed that leaf spring 23 is secured by connecting screws 27 passing through openings 24 to keepers or latches 28 which normally fit under and engage lip 14.

The surface of spherical member 17 is provided with index means or indicia in the form of hearts, diamonds, clubs or the like which are generally indicated by the numeral 30 as shown on the exposed portion of spherical member 17 on FIG. 3. Index means are also provided on the upper portion of housing 15 and take the form of hearts, spades, diamonds or the like. The exposed surface of spherical member 17 also shows pins 20 disposed therein. By aligning the spades with the hearts as shown in FIG. 3, the indexing opening in one of the pins 20 is properly aligned with indexing stud 21. In this connection, it is to be noted that the alignment required to open the lock may be made approximate or precise by simply varying the relative dimensions and configurations of stud 21 and its corresponding aperture 34. Moreover, alignment may be aided by the positioning arms 26 which, as shown, are so arranged that they will fit into depressions in the tops of pins 20.

When spherical member 17 is so positioned, the unlocking operation can be completed by pressing downwardly in the direction of arrows 32 as shown in FIG. 2. When this operation is performed, leaf spring 23 is deformed over stud 21 which then enters the indexing recess in the proper one of pins 20. When leaf spring 23 is deformed, latches 28 are drawn radially inwardly to clear lip 14 whereupon housing 15 can be completely removed as shown in FIG. 2, and access to container 11 may be had.

Reference to FIG. will show in greater detail one arrangement of an indexing stud 21 and a corresponding indexing recess. There it will be observed that pin 20 having threads thereabout has been removed from opening 19 in spherical member 17. A notch is provided in one side of pin 20 to form index recess 34. Indexing stud 21 is shaped for fitting into index recess 34. Since each pin 20 has a differently sized and/or shaped index recess 34, indexing stud 21 would fit only one pin 20. By changing the position of pin 20 with index recess 34 therein, or by changing the configuration and/ or length of indexing stud 21, the lock may be set to different lock combinations.

The foregoing generally describes one embodiment of the invention herein. Reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 will show another embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown another lock of the instant invention which is adaptable for use on the door of a medicine cabinet, or the like. It will be observed that glass mirror 41 is mounted on metal door 42 and cabinet frame 43 is provided with a metal lip 44, which is attached thereto by screw 45.

Again a cylindrical housing 46 is adapted for grasping with the hand. A bore 47 is provided in housing 46 and is adapted to retainingly receive spherical member 48. Around the outside edge of bore 47 there is provided an annular retaining ring 49 secured to the end of housing 46 as by screws 50. Hence, ring 49 serves to retain spherical member 48 within bore 47 While exposing a portion of the surface of spherical member 48 for manual manipulation.

In this instance, spherical member 48 is hollow and has a plurality of indexing openings 51 communicating to the center thereof. It is to be understood that each one of the openings 51 is of a different configuration, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter.

Spherical member 48 is normally biased outwardly against retaining ring 49 as by means of leaf spring 52, one end of which is conveniently secured to housing 46 by screw 53. The other end of spring 52 is secured to latch 54 by screw 55, such that latch 54, when in the locking position, engages lip 44. Spring 52 is also provided with two positioning arms 56 which are similar to arms 26, shown in FIG. 1.

Inward movement of spherical member 48 is normally restricted by spring 52 and stud 57, which stud is mounted on backplate 58, secured in turn to housing 46 by screw 53. Screw 53 also passes through an annular rubber gasket 59, provided to insure proper spacing about glass mirror 41.

Stud 57 is positioned at the inside end of bore 47 and is so shaped and dimensioned that it will enter only one of the openings 51.

Referring now to FIG. 8, it will be seen that stud 57 is triangular in cross sectional area and is shaped to fit indexing opening 51, positioned thereabove.

Referring now to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the exposed portion of spherical member 48 is provided with a large numeral 5 which is designated by the numeral 61. Also visible is an annular row of openings 51 thereabout. As explained above, each of these openings 51 is of a slightly different configuration so that only one will receive stud 57. The top portion of retaining ring 49 is provided with numerals ranging from 1 to 8. Hence, one combination would be to align the top and bottom of the numeral 5 on spherical member 48 with numerals 2 and 6 on retaining ring 49, as shown in FIG. 7. With this combination, let it be assumed that stud 57 is then aligned with the one index opening 51 which would admit stud 57 therein.

By having the spherical member 48 so positioned, the door can be opened by depressing spherical member 48, which causes stud 57 to enter the correct indexing opening 51, to thereby deform leaf spring 52 and retract lat-ch 54 from locking position under lip 44. Since latch 54 has a beveled edge, the door can be closed by simply pushing inward-1y on the metal door 42, until lip 44 cams latch 54 under lip 44.

Arms 56 referred to above serve the same function as arms 26 in FIG. 1, i.e., when the operator has dialed the correct combination they retain alignment during depression of spherical member 48.

It is to be understood that in this particular embodimerit each of the openings 51 could be provided with a pin such as pins 20 in FIG. 1, with each pin having its own separate and different opening, but with only one of such openings adapted to accommodate stud 57. The combination of the lock could then be changed by changing the positions of the pins. However, the combination of this particular embodiment can be changed by changing stud 57 so that it will lit a different opening 51.

It is to be understood that different types of latch mechanisms could be used, for example, a latch mechanism that would be forced radially outwardly upon the depression of spherical member 48. Hence, from time to time the term means for releasing said latch means from locking engagement is used to generally describe that portion of the lock actuated when spherical member 48 is depressed.

In this particular embodiment, the index means are in the form of numerals rather than symbols. It is to be understood that various other types of indicia could be used to accomplish the same result.

It will also be observed that spherical member 48 is provided with a plurality of dimples 62 about the sur face thereof which facilitate the rotation of spherical member 48 by hand. In addition, dimples 62 could be used for engagement with arms 56, to aid alignment retention.

While the term spherical member has been used herein to describe an actual sphere, it is to be understood that ovoid, ellipsoid and other spherical members which are not perfect spheres but closely resemble spheres may be employed in other embodiments of this invention. A true sphere, however, will give the greatest number of combinations.

The invention will, of course, admit of other embodiments than those particular ones described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is to be construed illustratively only and is not to be construed as a limitation upon the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dial lock comprising;

a base;

a housing supported from said base at one end and open at the other end;

a spherical member retainingly carried by said housing and slidable and rotatable therewithin;

said spherical member having at least one recess therein and carrying indicia thereon;

means normally urging said spherical member toward said open end of said housing;

an upstanding member extending into said housing from said base and receivable within said recess;

and, latch means supported from said base and responsive to axial movements of said sphere within said housing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein;

said spherical member and said housing are provided with dial index means whereby said spherical member may be rotated to a preselected dial combination to align said indexing opening with said indexing Stud.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein;

said spherical member is provided with a plurality of openings, only one of which is adapted to receive said stud therein.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein;

each of said openings carries a removable indexing sleeve whereby the combination of said lock may be changed by changing the position of said pin having the opening which receives said stud.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein;

said stud is replaceable, so that said stud may be changed from time to time to change the dialing combination of said lock.

6. A dial lock comprising:

a base and housing assembly having a central bore therein;

a spherical member rotatably and slidably mounted in said bore and having an indexing opening in the surface thereof;

biasing means for normally biasing said spherical member upwardly in said bore;

an indexing stud adapted for entrance into said indexing opening and supported at the bottom of said bore, whereby said stud normally restricts the downward movement of said spherical member until said stud is aligned with said indexing opening;

and, latch means supported by said housing and releasable from locking engagement when said indexing opening is aligned with said stud and said spherical member is depressed.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein:

said spherical member is provided with a plurality of indentations about the surface thereof to facilitate dial alignment, and

said housing is provided with a plurality of resilient centering arms which engage certain of said indentations and assist in aligning said indexing stud with said indexing opening.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein:

said biasing means comprises a spring which extends across the inside end of said bore and in which said latch means is attached to at least one end of said spring.

*9. The device of claim 6, wherein:

said biasing means comprises a spring defining a cross and is mounted across the inside end of said bore;

and, said latch means includes a plurality of keepers, one of which is attached to each end of said spring.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein;

said spherical member is provided with a plurality of openings removably carrying an indexing pin,

and, at least one of said pins has an opening therein which will receive said stud.

11. A combination dial lock comprising:

a housing with an opening therein;

a spherical dial member having dial index means on the surface thereof and mounted for rotatable and axial movement in said opening, said spherical member having an indexing opening in the surface thereof,

retaining means connected to said housing for restricting outward movement of said spherical member but exposing a portion of the surface of said spherical member for manipulation,

a spring mounted transversely of the inside end of said opening and normally biasing said spherical member outwardly in said opening,

latch means connected to at least one end of said spring and normally held in latching engagement,

and, an indexing stud shaped for entry into said indexing opening and supported at the inside end of said opening in said housing and normally restricting the inward movement of said spherical member until said stud is aligned with said indexing opening.

12. A combination dial lock comprising;

a housing assembly having an opening therein;

a spherical dial member rotatably mounted in said opening, said member being movable axially therein and having an indexing opening in the surface thereof;

retaining means connected to said housing for restricting outward movement of said spherical member;

biasing means for normally biasing said spherical member outwardly in said housing whereby a portion of the surface of said sphere is exposed for rotation;

an indexing stud adapted for entry into said indexing opening and supported at the inside end of said opening in said housing and normally restricting the inward movement of said spherical member until said stud is aligned with said indexing opening;

latch means supported by said housing and normally held in locking position;

and, means for releasing said latching means from locking engagement when said spherical member is properly aligned and depressed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 757,733 4/04 Frank 70-469 858,781 4/07 Benedict 70169 1,015,907 1/12 Ryder 70-169 X ALBERT H. KAMPE, Primary Examiner. BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner. 

1. A DIAL LOCK COMPRISING; A BASE; A HOUSING SUPPORTED FROM SAID BASE AT ONE END AND OPEN AT THE OTHER END; A SPHERICAL MEMBER RETAININGLY CARRIED BY SAID HOUSINGG AND SLIDABLE AND ROTATABLE THEREWITHIN; SAID SPHERICAL MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE RECESS THEREIN AND CARRYING INDICIA THEREON; MEANS NORMALLY URGING SAID SPHERICAL MEMBER TOWARD SAID OPEN END OF SAID HOUSING; AN UPSTANDING MEMBER EXTENDING INTO SAID HOUSING FROM SAID BASE AND RECEIVABLE WITHIN SAID RECESS; AND, LATCH MEANS SUPPORTED FROM SAID BASE AND RESPONSIVE TO AXIAL MOVEMENTS OF SAID SPHERE WITHIN SAID HOUSING. 